![]() ![]() If a CSF leak is not repaired, serious and potentially fatal complications, including meningitis or swelling of the brain, may arise. If accompanied by nausea, photosensitivity and a stiff neck, an infection may be present. Symptoms of a CSF leak include a watery, clear discharge from the nose, and a headache that is more painful when standing upright than when lying down. They can also develop spontaneously, although the majority are the result of surgery or lumbar puncture. CSF leaks can be caused by head injuries certain types of brain, head and spinal surgeries tube placement for pain medications or epidurals or lumbar punctures (spinal taps). Get in touch with us if you need help finding a rhinologist.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds the brain and spine, and is encased in a membrane known as the "dura." Sometimes, a CSF leak develops from a tear in the dura, allowing CSF to leak from the nose or ear. ![]() We seek to encourage excellent patient care by delivering the right information to you. Our board-certified otolaryngologists provide trusted answers to your questions. Visit the SinusHealth website for more information on CSF leaks. Endoscopic CSF leak repair has a high success rate for CSF leaks of the nose. Surgical Intervention: When no other treatment helps seal the CSF leak, your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure.Epidural Blood Patch: In cases of CSF leak from a lumbar puncture, a sample of your own blood is inserted into the spinal canal to form a blood clot over the CSF leak and patch it.However, your doctor may recommend other treatments, such as: Occasionally a dye may be injected to be able to see the CSF more easily in the nose.Ĭonservative therapies like bed rest, increased intake of water, and lying in bed with elevation of the head may be enough to treat some cases of CSF leaks. Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture: During a spinal tap, your cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn through a needle to check the pressure of CSF inside the spinal column.Myelography: This scan uses a contrast dye to detect the location of a CSF leak.MRI Scan of the Brain: This imaging study can evaluate for problems in the brain or areas of herniation of the brain or it’s linings into the sinus cavities.CT Scan of the Sinuses: This imaging study can evaluate for skull base bony defects or areas of opacification in the sinuses.Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy: This minor office procedure uses a small camera to look at areas of clear drainage or abnormalities, such as a herniation of the brain or it’s lining (encephalocele or meningocele).These are some of the tests used to diagnose a CSF leak: You may also undergo certain tests and scans before they can provide a final diagnosis. Any history of head trauma, obesity, or sinonasal surgery are some of the factors that may indicate you are at risk for acerebrospinal fluid leak. In some cases, your brain could sink downward in your skull, thus exerting pressure on the brainstem, which can be life-threatening How Are CSF Leaks Diagnosed?Ī doctor will start by conducting a physical exam and listening to your medical history. Sometimes, spontaneous CSF leaks may be large enough to cause significant enough drainage of brain fluid that the optimum pressure inside the cranium drops, leading to intracranial hypotention (low pressure). Ever heard of brain fluid leaking from nose? When a CSF leak occurs through a small defect in the skull, thin clear fluid will drain through the sinuses and into the nasal cavity. The brain floats in cerebrospinal fluid, surrounded by three protective layers of membrane. What Happens When a Sinus CSF Leak Occurs? ![]()
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